Terry George, the Oscar-winning writer-director whose work includes Hotel Rwanda and In the Name of the Father, will turn his creative hand to a real-life tale of death and deceit in early 20th century Egypt.

George is teaming with Egyptian writer Marian Naoum to co-write the serial killer series The Alexandria Killings for Yalla Yalla, the Arabic content joint-venture between Dubai-based distributor Front Row Film Entertainment and sales and finance banner Rocket Science.

Set in 1920 Alexandria when Egypt was under British rule, the series — on which George will also serve as showrunner — will chronicle the true story of Egyptian sisters Raya ...